Field Farm

Field Farm

FFPROP

Property: Field Farm

Title: Field Farm

Description: Field Farm is a property of over 300 acres in Williamstown, Massachusetts with exceptional natural landscapes and manmade features. Set in the Berkshire and Taconic ranges, the land was used in the mid-18th century for crops and grazing livestock. When Lawrence and Eleanore Bloedel purchased the Nathan Field farm shortly after World War II, they began creating what is now a paradigm of 20th century art and design. They commissioned two buildings - the main house in 1948 and the Folly in 1964 - from noted Modernist architects. Each house was designed to be distinctive yet blend in with the surrounding mountain ranges, open fields, wetlands, and woods. The Bloedels were widely recognized for their support of emerging artists, including many that went on to become major figures. They developed an extensive collection of contemporary art and furnishings, some of which can still be seen on the property. Mrs. Bloedel bequeathed Field Farm's original acreage to The Trustees in 1984, with additional acres having been purchased or gifted over the years. As part of its stewardship for the buildings and grounds, The Trustees operate almost 80 acres for crops and pastures on the property to ensure that a sense of rural continuity is maintained. Visitors to Field Farm can enjoy tours of the Folly, hike the trails to explore local caves, and observe hawks, herons, and blackbirds, among other wildlife.

Date: 1984 (Bequeathed by Mrs. Lawrence H. Bloedel. Additional land given in 1990 by Nancy Freeman and Sally Foote. Additional land purchased in 1994.)